Remembered

Madeleine Biba

04/03/93 – 08/21/07

 

I remember standing at the window with her older brother, Bear, watching as puppy Madeleine ripped through a long row of zinnias, blasted through day lilies & then zoomed through my hostas.  Incredulous, Bear & I paused in stunned silence, and then we named her “Naughty Madeleine.”

 

At age 14, Madeleine’s kidneys gave out, and eventually, even months of nightly subQ fluids weren’t enough to keep her going.  Last week, Gary & I made the difficult decision to put our beautiful dynamo to sleep. 

 

Madeleine’s life was a (loud) celebration.  She yelled when company arrived & when it was time for walks.  She yelled when it was time for bedtime treats & the Nightly Dog Drive.  She yelled greetings when we came home.  We nicknamed her “Patience” because she had none…she yelled when we were slow to open the back door, or feed her supper…or toward the end, when she couldn’t get off the floor & needed a hoist.

 

From 1994 through 1998, Madeleine worked at Biba Companies in Geneva with Gary & Bear, where she was particularly adept at convincing her friends to share snacks.  Here in Austin, Madeleine insisted on attending hypnosis sessions with my clients….that lasted until the day she interrupted a session by licking the hypnotized man on the elbow. 

 

Madeleine’s life was an adventure.  When we moved from Geneva, Nebraska to Big City Austin, Madeleine rode shotgun for 13 hours, watching & worrying about Gary in his car ahead.  She flew in our airplane.  She went to Golden Retriever picnics with 100 other dogs.  Madeleine swam in Nebraska ponds at Field Day, & at Mansfield Dam outside Austin.  She went for coffee at Mozart’s & Starbucks.  She learned tricks like “leave it” and “down” and “wait”, and practiced them during acupuncture appointments.

 

Madeleine’s biggest accomplishment may have been fostering 150+ Goldens for Nebraska & Austin rescues.  She was a patient & kind mentor to those homeless friends, making them feel welcome & safe.

 

Madeleine experienced many different alternative healing sessions, bodywork & energy work during her long lifetime.  Her favorite was Reiki energy healing, and toward the end we spent 30 minutes every night quietly together, as she was supported physically, emotionally, mentally & in spirit…I suspect that was why she lived so comfortably & happily, for so long. 

 

During her last weeks, Madeleine grew more insistent.  She often called to Gary, asking him to carry her up the 16 stairs to his office, so she could work alongside him.  At night, she demanded we hoist her into bed, where she squeezed between our pillows.  On the night before she died, Madeleine gamely joined us on the 5:00 Dog Drive through the neighborhood, just like every other night for 14 years.

 

We miss our Madeleine terribly & we love her wholeheartedly.  She modeled a life well lived, one with gusto & enthusiasm & self confident kindness.  Madeleine Victorious!

 

Gary & Margo